H.R. 2470, a bill which I recently introduced, will increase the authority given to the Interagency Program Office (IPO).

The IPO is charged with making decisions on behalf of DoD and VA Secretaries to ensure the electronic health record initiative succeeds.

Currently, the IPO lacks the authority and clarity that the IPO is the single point of contact on EHR issues. My bill addresses this serious concern.

I am also aware that although Public Law 110-181 indicates the IPO was developed to implement the on-going efforts to establish the Electronic Health Care Record initiative, this office is often bypassed by the VA and DOD.

It seems to me that there is little interest by both VA and DOD to incorporate the IPO in ongoing EHR efforts.

For this and other reasons I introduced H.R. 2470, the E-SERV Act. This bill empowers the Interagency Program Office with the clear authority to provide our service members and veterans the 21st Century Electronic Health Record they deserve.

Today Chairman Jeff Miller released the following statement after Rep. Phil Roe was elected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve as House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs chairman for the 115th Congress.